Interpreting sacred names of Lakshmi - Book review on LAKSHMI ASHTOTTARA SATANAMA NIRUKTI STUTI — from the Hindu

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Interpreting sacred names of Lakshmi

 

V. N. VEDANTA DESIKAN

 

 

 

LAKSHMI ASHTOTTARA SATANAMA NIRUKTI STUTI —

Explanation of the Sacred Names of Sri Mahalakshmi,

Vol. II: V. S. Karunakaran; Pub. by Sri Vishnu Sahasra

Nama Satsangam, C-8519, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070.

Rs. 40.

 

Every popular deity in Hinduism is usually associated

with a large number of names, which have real

significance and import. One often hears about a

thousand names for such deities.

 

The Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram embedded in the

Mahabharata, was commented upon by Sankara, who

brought out the intrinsic significance of each name.

Indeed a few names occur repeatedly, for which meaning

ought to be provided, in a manner that makes one

relish the ingenuity and flash. This was especially

accomplished by Parasara Bhattar, son of

Koorathazhvan, a close disciple of Ramanuja. Bhattar

aptly named his work " Bhagavadguna Darpanam " ,

indicating that it was a mirror projecting Lord

Vishnu's qualities and characteristics for our

viewing.

 

How he was able to do it is a matter of interest. The

Sanskrit root is taken up and its etymological

transformation to the particular name is traced

fascinatingly. An appropriate saying or phrase is

adduced to explain the exact meaning of a particular

name. Names, such as Aja and Vaasudeva, when repeated

three or more times, are interpreted refreshingly and

with real intellectual relish. This is referred to as

" Nirukti " . Yaska, who did for the Vedas, is the

pioneer in the field.

 

Nirukta is one of the six Vedaangas. In the Indian

tradition, names are of two types: " roodhi "

(etymologically evolvable from the root, with a

particular significance) and " yogic " (assigned merely

as a denotative or identity mark). They are known in

Tamil as " Kaaranappeyar " and " Idukurippeyar "

respectively.

 

This volume contains explanation for names 37 to 72 of

Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtottara Stotram, a popular hymn

being recited in homes and shrines. Probably, the

first-ever attempt at Nirukti-interpretation of these

names is by V.S. Karunakaran, a multi-faceted scholar

and a veritable prodigy in poesy.

 

His approach is to narrate a well-known anecdote from

the ancient epics or puranas, or from a recent episode

pertaining to his own circle of relatives or friends,

in order to bring home the significance of the

particular name, then cite his own verse, in Sanskrit,

to recount the etymology. One looks forward to the

next number in the series

 

 

 

 

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